There is currently a strange Lapwing present in and around the Skukuza area which sparked quite a bit of discussion surrounding its ID.

Can I please ask that if you are planning to go to that area soon to please keep an eye out for it. We are looking for photos of the bird especially in flight or with its wings stretched out on the ground to get a better look at the wing pattern.

It would even be first prize if you are as lucky as to get your hands on a feather of this bird. Please don't go trampling around in the bush now.

If you have any photos or sighting information to share, please do so in this topic where a group of experts will keep an eye on the information in order to assist them with identifying this bird.

I'm not an expert but this looks like a juvenille Long-toed Lapwing to me.... I have seen them in the Okavango, strange for them to be in Kruger, but have a look at the characteristics of a juvenille in one of the bird books and you'll see quite a fitting description! Just an idea

Study nature, Love nature, Stay close to nature. It will never fail you!

Duco, could I take the liberty in asking that the word of this bird gets spread as far as possible. If possible to Skukuza reception itself. Maybe they could post a request on the notice board in order to get more people to look for it?

This could potentially be a very interesting record for the country and I am sure the birding experts would appreciate all the help they could get.

BushFairy wrote:I'm not an expert but this looks like a juvenille Long-toed Lapwing to me.... I have seen them in the Okavango, strange for them to be in Kruger, but have a look at the characteristics of a juvenille in one of the bird books and you'll see quite a fitting description! Just an idea

None of you gentlemen seem to have taken the least notice of what BushFairy wrote and apart from not being very polite of you, she might be right you know!!!

I am sure we all have theories as to what the bird may be. But unfortunately the intention and purpose of this topic is not to get an ID from the photo provided. This is merely a request to get more information and photos of the bird in question. I am sure the rarities committee who asked me to create this topic will take her suggestion into consideration if they haven't done so already.

wildtuinman wrote:It would even be first prize if you are as lucky as to get your hands on a feather of this bird. Please don't go trampling around in the bush now.

Damn man I was just about to use you as an excuse to swim lake panic

I got some photo's of this guy to but non better than these. I will get them to you. Unfortunately no open wing pics..

At the end of it all you don't want to go into the grave peacefully and quietly in well preserved body... You want to go sort off skidding in sideways, full of bruises and scratches saying: "Man what a ride!!!"

The current thinking on the identification of this Lapwing from the coordinator of the SA Rare Bird Panel and those he's discussed it with is as follows:

"Lastly, although not a rarity, it is still particularly interesting. A rather bizarre lapwing was recorded at the low water bridge over the Sabie River just outside Skukuza in the Kruger National Park on Tuesday. It does not fit any known Vanellus Lapwing and current thinking is that it is possibly either a BLACKSMITH X WHITE-CROWNED LAPWING hybrid or a bizarrely aberrant WHITE-CROWNED LAPWING. Have a look at some submitted photos below and see for yourself…"